04 June 2019 Military News

Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

US Wants Pakistan to Urge Taliban to Show 'More Flexibility' in Dialogue VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The United States is scheduled to hold another round of meetings with the Taliban this month in Qatar in a fresh bid to end the deadlock in peace talks with the Afghan insurgent group while reaching out to regional stakeholders, including Pakistan, for assistance.
Afghan President Ghani Says He'll Visit Pakistan On June 27 RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he will visit Pakistan on June 27 in an effort to improve bilateral relations that are often hampered by mistrust and reciprocal accusations.

Defense Policy / Programs

Pentagon's Indo-Pacific Strategy Report Aims at 'Malign Actors' China, Russia Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- On Saturday, the Pentagon released its "Indo-Pacific Strategy Report," which outlines Washington's approach to geopolitics in eastern Asia and the Pacific. The first steps were begun a day prior, when the sale of 34 surveillance drones to four US allies was pushed ahead.
Lawmakers Want to Block US Navy From Retiring Aircraft Carriers Early Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- Members of the US House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee have drafted legislation for the annual defense policy bill that would block funding for the US Navy to operate fewer than 11 aircraft carriers.
'US aircraft carrier dispatched to Middle East over Iran keeps off Persian Gulf' Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, which the United States rapidly dispatched to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran, has stayed outside of the strategic Persian Gulf waters, with its commander saying that the US Navy is seeking to avoid escalations.
Kansas Army National Guard engineers support 116th CBCT Army News 04 Jun 2019 -- Two companies from the Kansas Army National Guard's 891st Engineer Battalion are completing a rotation at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, to prepare to conduct future real-world missions during unit deployments.
Total force approach increases munitions readiness Army News 04 Jun 2019 -- Moving ammunition is a crucial part of the Joint Munitions Command's mission. The Army Reserve and the Army National Guard Soldiers need training opportunities. As part of Total Force Policy, those two goals are combined into partnership training opportunities that build Soldier and unit readiness.
Alaska Army National Guard engineers train with Romanian counterparts Army News 04 Jun 2019 -- Two of the 54 Alaska Army National Guard Soldiers of 207th Engineer Utility Detachment demonstrated engineering leadership during their participation in exercise Resolute Castle 2019 May 1 - 21 at Land Forces Combat Training Center Getica.
Laser Focus: ONR Global and the Competition for High-Intensity Lasers NNS 04 Jun 2019 -- In the 1990s, the United States was the leading innovator and dominant user of high-intensity laser technology, according to a 2017 report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
USS Anchorage Demonstrates Amphibious Beach Landing NNS 04 Jun 2019 -- The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) demonstrated its emergency response capabilities by conducting an amphibious beach landing off the coast of Oregon, June 3.
US Air Force Base First to Use Portable Doppler Radar For CONUS Ops Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- Idaho's Mountain Home Air Force Base has become the first to demonstrate how a Portable Doppler Radar (PDR) system can be tapped on by the service to maintain mission readiness in cases where locally used weather radars are taken offline for maintenance.
Mountain Home AFB: First to use Portable Doppler Radar for CONUS Ops US Air Force 04 Jun 2019 -- Weather can be an unrelenting force and infamously fickle. Severe weather can adversely affect the safety of aircrew and Airmen working in the elements. Fortunately, advanced radars with weather forecasting capabilities can mitigate the associated risks.
Pacific Pathways 2.0 to bolster presence in the theater Army News 04 Jun 2019 -- More Soldiers will be forward deployed longer in the Indo-Pacific region next year, as part of a new Pacific Pathways effort to allow units to build stronger partnerships and readiness.
Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan's Meetings in Japan DoD 04 Jun 2019

Senior NATO official addresses NATO Parliamentary Assembly NATO 04 Jun 2019 -- Ambassador Alejandro Alvargonzález, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, addressed the Plenary Meeting of the NATO-Parliamentary Assembly's Spring Session in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Monday (3 June 2019). Ambassador Alvargonzález stressed that parliamentarians play a key role both in embodying and defending the NATO Allies' shared democratic values at a time when these are being challenged in a variety of new ways.
NATO Secretary General: Poland makes major contributions to our shared security NATO 04 Jun 2019 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praised Poland's strong commitment to the Alliance during a visit by President Andrzej Duda to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (4 June 2019). The two leaders discussed the current security environment and preparations for the Summit of NATO leaders in London this December.
NATO Allies and partners reaffirm their commitment to the financial sustainment of the Afghan security forces and the importance of strong security forces to peace in Afghanistan NATO 04 Jun 2019 -- At the plenary meeting of the Afghan National Army Trust Fund Board - held today (04 June 2019) at NATO Headquarters - NATO Allies and partners confirmed their steadfast support to the financial sustainment of the Afghan security forces. Together with representatives of the donors' community, they reviewed the Trust Fund management, implementation and performance; and they outlined future requirements.

Secretary General praises Ukraine's partnership with NATO, calls for continuing reform NATO 04 Jun 2019 -- Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Ukraine's new President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (4 June 2019) for bilateral talks, as well as a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission focused on the security situation in the country.

China's new Type 055 destroyer among best in the world: experts Global Times 04 Jun 2019 -- Accompanied by marching music and tearing waves, a huge warship with the hull number 101 sailed into view out of heavy fog during the maritime parade on April 23 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province to celebrate the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's 70th anniversary.
Chinese military gives hints about the true nature of Sunday's UFO sightings across China Global Times 04 Jun 2019 -- The UFO sightings across multiple provinces in China on Sunday were likely the result of a Chinese submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test, military observers said after the Chinese military gave hints late Monday evening on the nature of the said UFO.
Secrecy Fears As Chinese Warships Sail into Sydney Harbor VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- Analysts have questioned the secrecy surrounding the arrival of three Chinese warships into Sydney Harbor. About 700 personnel are onboard the vessels, which are now docked at an Australian naval base for a four-day stopover.
Nation to 'fight at all costs' for unification People's Daily 04 Jun 2019 -- If anyone tries to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese military has no choice but to fight at all costs for national unity, State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe said on Sunday in Singapore, while elaborating on China's stance on the Taiwan question.

India's Extended Range BrahMos Missile Hits Target Amid Tensions With Pakistan Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The Indian military along with defence scientists on Tuesday tested the extended range of the jointly developed Indo-Russia supersonic cruise missile from a ground launcher at an integrated test range off the coast of Odisha.
Indian Army Searches for An-32 Plane That Went Missing Near Chinese Border Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- On 3 June, an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 with 13 people on board went missing after it departed earlier in the day from Jorhat.

France's arms sales to Saudis jumped by %50 in 2018: Data Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Newly-released figures show that France increased its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia by 50 percent last year despite growing international concern about the atrocities committed in a Saudi-led war on Yemen.

Turkey won't backtrack from Russian S-400 deal: Erdogan Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed his country's commitment to an agreement with Moscow to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems, saying Ankara will not step back from the deal despite US threats of "devastating" consequences.
No Backtracking On Turkey's S-400 Deal With Russia, Erdogan Says RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey will not cancel a deal with Russia to buy an S-400 air-defense system despite pressure from fellow NATO member the United States.
Erdogan: US Patriot Offer 'Unfortunately Not as Good as S-400s' Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- Last week, the Pentagon reiterated its concerns over Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, with a senior DoD official saying the completion of the S-400 deal would be "devastating, not only to the F-35 programme", but for "Turkish interoperability with NATO" as well.

Defence Secretary keynote speech at the Land Warfare Conference 2019 UK MOD 04 Jun 2019 -- Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt speaks about the 'full value of Defence'

Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister May in Joint Press Conference The White House 04 Jun 2019
Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister May Before a Business Roundtable | London, United Kingdom The White House 04 Jun 2019
PM statement with US President: 4 June 2019 UK FCO 04 Jun 2019 -- Prime Minister Theresa May spoke in London at a joint press conference with President of the United States Donald Trump.

Defense Industry

Contracts for June 4, 2019

Other Conflicts

4 June 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 04 Jun 2019

Syrian air defenses intercept, shoot down terrorist drones in Hama Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Syrian air defense systems have intercepted and shot down a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles launched by foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants in the country's western-central province of Hama.
Syrian army forces recapture villages on northern edge of Hama Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Syrian government forces, backed by allied fighters from popular defense groups, have managed to establish control over several villages in the country's western-central province of Hama following intense clashes with members of the Jabhat Fateh al-Sham Takfiri terrorist group, formerly known as al-Nusra Front.
Syria urges UN to censure terror attacks against civilians in Hama, Idlib Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Syria has written to the UN to demand that the world body denounce terrorist attacks against civilians in the provinces of Hama and Idlib, stressing that such raids will not undermine the Damascus government's resolve to rid the country of foreign-backed Takfiri militants.
Syrian Air Defences Down Terrorist Drones in Hama Province - Report Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The unmanned flying vehicles were confronted near a helipad in Jubb Ramlah village in Hama province, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing the Syrian state-run broadcaster.
Vital food crops destroyed in Syria amid upsurge in fighting across Idlib, Hama UN News 04 Jun 2019 -- Thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed in Syria's Idlib and north Hama provinces amid ongoing deadly violence, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday, in a call to the warring parties to stop using food security to hold people "hostage".
WFP: Growing Violence Destroys Vital Crops, Farmland in NW Syria VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The World Food Program says escalating violence has destroyed crops and farmland in Idlib and North Hama in northwest Syria, depriving thousands of people of food.
Militants Shell 2 Syrian Provinces in Past 24 Hours - Russian Military Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- Militant groups have violated the ceasefire in the Syrian provinces of Latakia and Idlib over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defence Ministry's Centre for Syrian Reconciliation said in a statement on Monday.

France, Britain condemn Israeli settlement plan in occupied East al-Quds Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- France and Britain have condemned Israel's recent approval of plans for the construction of hundreds of new settler units in the occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds irrespective of the international outcry against the Tel Aviv regime's land expropriation and settlement expansion policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Colombia: Rights experts condemn killing of reintegrated former rebel fighter, call for respect of peace process UN News 04 Jun 2019 -- Against a backdrop of challenges in implementing the peace process in Colombia, six independent UN human rights experts condemned on Tuesday the killing of a former member of the FARC-EP guerilla movement, which they said constitutes a "violation" of the guarantees made by the Government in the 2016 peace agreement.

Kyiv Tells ICJ Russia Failed To Stop 'Terrorism' In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Ukraine has argued before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Russia has failed to prevent "terrorist acts" by the separatists Moscow is backing in the country's east.
Ukrainian President Says He's Open To Peace Talks With Russia, Commits To NATO Membership RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Ukraine's president said he is ready to negotiate with Russia to end the war in eastern Ukraine, but he also reaffirmed his country's course toward NATO membership -- a move strongly opposed by Moscow.

News Reports

Venezuela's Opposition Welcomes Failure of Talks With Maduro VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- Venezuelan parliamentary leader Juan Guaido's refusal to enter talks with President Nicolas Maduro in Norway last week has undermined efforts by European diplomats to set up negotiations that would preempt U.S. intervention in the embattled country, analysts say. But not everyone thinks that is a bad thing.
Kremlin denies Trump claim on Russia's military withdrawal from Venezuela Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Russia has denied US President Donald Trump's claim that Moscow is reducing the number of its "people" in Venezuela.
Russia Denies Trump Tweet Saying It Informed Him Of Venezuela Pullout RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Russia has denied it informed U.S. President Donald Trump that it is pulling defense personnel out of Venezuela, contradicting a comment by the U.S. leader.
ICG, Lima Group Committed to Peaceful Transition in Venezuela - Statement Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The International Contact Group on Venezuela and the Lima Group said in a joint statement that they are committed to a peaceful transition that would lead to holding a peaceful election in Venezuela.

Khartoum Tense as Sudan Activists Reject Military Election Plan VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The impasse over Sudan's political future deepened Tuesday as pro-democracy activists rejected a plan by military leaders to hold elections within nine months.
Sudan's Ruling Military Leaders Call for Elections Within 9 Months VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- Sudan's ruling military council says it is canceling its previous agreement with civilian protesters following Monday's attack by security forces on a protest site in Khartoum that left at least 35 people dead.
Joint Statement on Developments in Sudan US Dept. of State 04 Jun 2019 -- The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Iran urges Sudan military to cede power to civilians IRNA 04 Jun 2019 -- Iran's Foreign Ministry Tuesday urged Sudan to address the people's demand in the country and immediate transition of power to civilians.
Iran voices concern over violence in Sudan, urges swift transfer of power to civilians Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Iran has expressed concern about the ongoing political tensions in Sudan, calling for a swift transfer of power to civilians in the North African country a day after a sit-in protest in Khartoum against the ruling junta turned deadly.
Sudan's junta scraps agreements with protesters as tensions reemerge Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Sudan's ruling military council has scrapped all agreements with protest leaders and called for snap elections, following a spike in tensions and a deadly crackdown against a sit-in outside the army headquarters in Khartoum.
US, UK, Norway Denounce Sudan Military Council's Election Plan - Report Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The head of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council (TMC), Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, in a televised address, after deadly action against protesters in Khartoum on Monday, has announced that a caretaker government will be formed to rule the country until general elections.
African Union Condemns Sudan Military for Violence Against Khartoum Protesters Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The African Union (AU) condemned on Monday the Sudanese army for using excessive force against civilians at a sit-in protest that caused many deaths, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki said.
Sudan's TMC Calls For Elections, Announces Formation of Caretaker Govt Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council (TMC), in a televised address to the nation, following deadly violence in the capital Khartoum, has called for a general election to be held within the next nine months.

Russia's Yandex 'Declines Request' To Hand Over Encryption Keys RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Yandex, Russia's largest search engine, has refused to turn over encryption keys that would give the country's law enforcement the ability to decode its entire e-mail traffic, local media report.

Lebanon: Iran To Free Lebanese Man Convicted Of Spying For U.S. RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Iran has agreed to release technology expert Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national who is serving a 10-year prison sentence on charges of spying for the United States, Lebanon's government says.

Fate of DPRK-U.S. Joint Statement: Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs of DPRK KCNA 04 Jun 2019 -- A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following press statement on Tuesday:
N Korea warns US: Our patience running out, Singapore deal at risk Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- North Korea warns the US that the agreement the two sides reached in Singapore last year could be at risk if Washington keeps putting undue pressure on Pyongyang to make it take unilateral measures towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Kim Jong Un's Sister Reappears in Public After Lengthy Absence, Reports Say VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- News reports say the younger sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reappeared in public for the first time in more than 50 days amid questions about her status and whether she and other prominent officials have been purged.

Two Indictments Unsealed Charging Iranian Citizen with Violating U.S. Export Laws and Sanctions against Iran US Dept. of Justice 04 Jun 2019 -- Peyman Amiri Larijani, 33, a citizen of Iran and former resident of Istanbul, Turkey, was charged in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in two separate indictments.
Iran Recommits to Khomeini's 'Resistance' on Death Anniversary, But at What Cost? VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- Iran has marked the 30th anniversary of the death of the leader of its Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, by recommitting itself to pursue his bedeviled path of "resistance" against enemies.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran will not fall for Trump's politicking Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Iran's people and authorities will not fall for US President Donald Trump's political ploys.
Iran Vows to Keep Missile Program, Rejects US Offer to Negotiate VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- Iran's Supreme Leader says his country will not give up its missile program after the United States said last week it is willing to negotiate with Iran.
Trump: U.S., Britain 'Determined' To Prevent Iran From Developing Nuclear Weapons RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington and London are "determined to ensure" Iran does not develop nuclear weapons and stops supporting terrorism.

Iran Honors Iraqi Shiite Paramilitary Group That US Labels Terrorists VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- In an apparent effort to sway Iran's public opinion in favor of the regime's involvement in Middle East conflicts, the Iranian government's television channels are airing a video that glorifies a key anti-American Iraqi Shiite group.

China Blacks Out Tiananmen Coverage in Massive Media Lockdown VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The Chinese government on Tuesday went to extraordinary lengths to block media coverage and social media participation marking the 30th anniversary of the crackdown on pro-democracy protests on Tiananmen Square – even as dozens of ceremonies commemorating the event were held worldwide and in Hong Kong.
30 Years After Tiananmen, Remembering a Pivotal Night VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- On June 4, 1989, the Chinese Communist Party ordered tanks and soldiers to fire at its own people gathered at Tiananmen Square, which is located in the heart of Beijing. Three decades later, the shots fired still reverberate today.
China Blasts Pompeo for Praising Tiananmen Student Protesters VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- China has denounced U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for saluting Chinese student protesters who defied the communist government in a prolonged and deadly standoff in Beijing's Tiananmen Square 30 years ago.
Tsai blasts China for covering up Tiananmen Square Incident CNA 04 Jun 2019 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Tuesday blasted China for covering up the facts of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4, 1989, which it has been estimated resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 pro-democracy protesters.
Thirty years on, Chinese youth more confident of country's future Global Times 04 Jun 2019 -- The daily flag-raising ceremony took place in Tiananmen Square in downtown Beijing at sunrise on Tuesday, with thousands of local residents, tourists from other parts of China and other countries attending the ceremony and enjoying a peaceful and joyous early morning in the heart of the Chinese capital.
China defends government action at Tiananmen Square in 1989 Press TV 04 Jun 2019 -- China has defended government action during the Tiananmen Square incident on its 30th anniversary in a rare move, accusing the West of stirring up public opinion against Beijing over the matter.
'Prejudice, Arrogance': Beijing Slams Pompeo's Comments on Tiananmen Anniversary Sputnik 04 Jun 2019 -- The Chinese embassy in the United States has expressed "strong dissatisfaction" with remarks from the US Department of State on the 30th anniversary of student-led protests in Tiananmen Square, Reuters reported.
30th anniversary of Tiananmen Square: Foreign Secretary's statement UK FCO 04 Jun 2019 -- Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt gave a statement on the 30th anniversary of the tragic events in and around Tiananmen Square.

Treasury and Commerce Implement Changes to Cuba Sanctions Rules US Treasury 04 Jun 2019 -- "Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) unveiled amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to further implement the President's foreign policy on Cuba. These amendments complement changes to the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which Commerce is also unveiling today."
US Imposes New Restrictions on Travel to Cuba VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Treasury Department has tightened restrictions on travel to Cuba in retaliation to the country's "destabilizing role" in the western hemispheric region.

Seeking 'Justice,' Dozens Demand Meeting With Kazakh Interim President Toqaev RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- Dozens of people from across Kazakhstan gathered at the headquarters of the country's ruling party days before a snap presidential election, demanding a meeting with interim President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev to discuss what they call wrongful court decisions regarding themselves or their loved ones.

Ebola Cases Soar Past 2,000 in Democratic Republic of Congo VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- More than 2,000 cases of the Ebola virus have hit the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the nation's health ministry. The 1,346 deaths make it the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history.

EU States To Discuss North Macedonia Membership On June 18 RFE/RL 04 Jun 2019 -- North Macedonia's bid to join the EU will be discussed by member states at their meeting in Luxembourg later this month, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has confirmed.

Newly-elected Nigerian UN General Assembly President pledges focus on 'peace and prosperity' for most vulnerable UN News 04 Jun 2019 -- The global reach of the United Nations makes it "the world's best hope for peace and security, sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights and social progress", said the top Nigerian diplomat who will be the next President of the General Assembly.

UN: Millions Could Face Severe Food Shortages as Drought Grips Somalia VOA 04 Jun 2019 -- The United Nations Refugee Agency warns an estimated 5.4 million people affected by worsening drought in Somalia will likely face severe food shortages by next month without immediate lifesaving assistance.

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